I want to thank the MDJ for its coverage of my controversial appointment to the SPLOST Oversight Committee by Commissioner Lisa Cupid. Clearly having a Democrat appoint a Libertarian falls into the “man bites dog” criteria for news coverage. But I want to especially thank Ms. Cupid for thinking and acting outside the box in this instance. That shows real leadership and independence in her part.

And speaking of leadership, I couldn’t help but notice that one of the reasons Chairman Tim Lee gave for opposing my appointment was because of my role in the community as an opinion leader. While I am flattered by the label, I have to question that as a criteria for opposing the appointment. In the same meeting where Ms. Cupid confirmed my appointment, Lee also voted in favor of Commissioner Bob Ott’s appointment of Karen Hallacy, a lobbyist for the Cobb School District, to serve on the Development Authority Board. Clearly, Ms. Hallacy is also a community leader, with the key difference being that she more often than not agrees with the chairman.

All I’m asking for, going forward, is that the chairman be consistent when deciding who to support or oppose for committee and board assignments. Otherwise, I fully support his right and responsibility to make the critical decisions he was elected to perform, even if they are not always the easiest or most expedient ones.

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